A Journey to Self-Worth Through Education
Laurie Axford's path to the University of Virginia's School of Continuing and Professional Studies might not have been a straight line, but it reflects her enduring belief in education's transformative power. Born in Central South Carolina near Clemson University, she initially attended the College of Charleston for a year before marrying and moving to Northern Virginia at age 19. While working at a small savings and loan in Arlington, VA, her desire for higher education - instilled by parents who valued it deeply - never waned.
"My parents didn't have the opportunity to go to or finish college, and they really wanted all their kids to go to college," Axford recalled.
After earning an associate degree from Northern Virginia Community College in the mid-1980s, Axford's ambition led her to UVA. She enrolled in the SCPS Bachelor of Interdisciplinary Studies program in 2011 and graduated in 2014. When Laurie reflected on her time at UVA, she noted a profound sense of accomplishment that transcended mere schoolwork.
"I invested in myself: I gained self-confidence, which I had always felt like I was lacking," Axford said. "Education provided me with a sense of equal footing and helped my self-worth."
The SCPS environment proved transformative; it broadened her horizons through unique classes like an art course that challenged her to speak confidently on unfamiliar subjects as well as an Appalachian studies class where she built a dulcimer. Beyond the classroom, Axford served on the peer mentor program and honor society and made lasting connections with classmates, faculty and staff.
"I just love the school, and I see the change it makes in people's lives," she noted. "It changes your heart and your head."
Planting Seeds for Tomorrow's Scholars
Axford's commitment to giving back stems from a profound sense of gratitude. Her own SCPS education was supported by her employer, and this experience underscored the importance of financial accessibility. Such a personal history fueled her decision to set up a significant endowed scholarship.
"BIS has been so important to me," Axford explained. "I felt strongly that I wanted to give back in some way."
Through her will, Axford has pledged to create an endowed scholarship, which will ensure that future SCPS students have the financial means to pursue their educational dreams. Her philosophy is clear: investing in education is an investment in the future.
Paraphrasing a quote from Warren Buffett, Axford said that "we don't plant the tree for the shade it gives today, but for the shade it provides in the future; I feel that way about education." She emphasized her desire for recipients to have the "financial capabilities to use the money toward education."
A Legacy of Support and Connection
Even after graduation, Axford remains deeply engaged with the UVA community. She serves as both an active graduate representative for the Raven Society and an orientation speaker, which lets her share her inspiring story with incoming students. Laurie leads the school’s bachelor’s degree alumni ambassador program that reconnects with alumni and lets them know of the exciting programs developed throughout SCPS. As Axford noted, “Our alumni are an important part of the fabric and tapestry of UVA and will always be a part of UVA.”
Laurie Axford's support here represents more than a financial contribution: it's a legacy of belief in the transformative power of learning so that the next generation of SCPS students can experience the kind of growth and self-discovery that defined her own journey. As Laurie put it, "It's the least I can do for the next generation."